We recently had the great privilege of spending the morning in an impossibly picturesque, remote spot, with one of Victoria’s most respected Indigenous weavers. Marilyne Nicholls, or ‘Aunty Marilyne’ as she often introduces herself, grew up in the Swan Hill area. She was introduced to coil weaving by her Mother and Grandmother, and found herself instantly drawn to this traditional craft.
Marilyne harvests native grasses called Cumbungi in the waterways of her region. Her practice connects her to her family’s traditional lands, and she’s very focussed on ensuring this traditional skill is passed on to the next generation. Spending time with Marilyne was a truly remarkable experience, and one I hope we have captured sensitively and accurately in this little film.
Marilyne has some coil weaving classes coming up in Maryborough, hosted by the Regional Centre for Culture. We highly recommend spending time with Marilyne, absorbing her incredible stories and learning some new skills. You can find out further information about the course here.
